My Charity Shop Coin Haul: Unearthing Ancient Treasures on a Budget

I never get tired of the hunt for hidden treasures in unexpected places. My latest score? Eight old copper coins from an online charity shop haul for just £20 (about $27). Turns out they were a stunning slice of ancient history! It’s amazing what you can find when listings are simply marked “old copper coins” from an estate clearance. Let me walk you through what I discovered and share some tips that might help you find your own overlooked gems.

The Happy Accident

While scrolling through charity shop listings one lazy afternoon, I spotted a lot of eight coins labeled as ‘old copper donations’ from a home clearance. At barely over £2 per coin, it felt like a no-brainer. I could just make out what looked like a Spanish cob coin (circa 1600) in the blurry photos, but the others were complete mysteries – no visible portraits or details. I hit “buy” before someone else did, figuring even one decent coin would make it worthwhile. When the package arrived days later, I was blown away by their sheer age and variety. That’s when the real detective work began!

First Impressions

Unboxing them felt like Christmas morning. I spread them out on my desk, sorting by size and visible features. One clearly showed a castle with an ‘8’ – Spanish, 1500s or 1600s, no question. Others had me scratching my head: a tiny one with three wheat stalks, another with a horseman, and one with what resembled an umbrella. I grabbed my good lamp and macro lens to photograph every angle – essential when dealing with worn surfaces. Their conditions varied wildly; some details were crisp under the patina while others were nearly smooth from centuries of handling. Tip: always use cotton gloves with these old-timers!

Playing Coin Detective

Identifying these became my obsession for days. Between my trusty reference books and messaging collector friends, here’s what we uncovered:

• A Roman Republican quadrans (1st century BC) showing Hercules’ head and a ship’s prow
• A Judean prutah from Agrippa I’s reign (37-44 AD) with those barley ears and umbrella symbol – barely visible text confirmed it
• An Indian Kushan bronze tetradrachm (80-90 AD) featuring a horseman and deity
• A medieval Kashmiri AE coin from the 11th century
• A Hellenistic piece (3rd-2nd century BC) depicting Isis’ head and a standing figure
• That Spanish cob anchor coin from the 1600s

This treasure hunt taught me to squint at every shadow and curve – sometimes a single letter makes all the difference. It also showed how much history gets overlooked in mixed lots!

Tips From the Trenches

If you want to try your luck with bargain hunts, here’s what worked for me:

• Check Charity Shops & Estates: Search generic terms like ‘old coins’ – sellers often don’t recognize what they have. Always request extra photos if possible.
• ID Before You File Away: Start with free online databases or collector forums. That £2 coin might be worth twenty times more once identified!
• Handle With Care: Check for fragile details like the Judean coin’s text. Store in acid-free flips immediately – copper deteriorates fast.
• Think Bulk: Even common coins gain value in groups. At £2 per coin, you only need one winner to make the lot profitable.

I’m still grinning about these coins sitting on my shelf. They’re proof you don’t need deep pockets to touch history – just sharp eyes and patience. I’ll be displaying them proudly while keeping my inbox alerts active for more “old copper” listings. Here’s hoping you find your own unexpected treasures out there!